Contemporary Logistics.

Contemporary Logistics, Ninth Edition, by Paul R. Murphy Jr. and Donald F. Wood. Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458. Pp. 415. ISBN 978-0-13-156-207-3.

The authors of Contemporary Logistics improved upon a good textbook when they released their ninth edition. The

textbook is well positioned to help undergraduate students and practitioners learn logistics concepts and supply chain relationships. Like previous editions, this edition details basic logistics terms and concepts while relating the importance of logistics to the success of the larger supply chain. This edition improves upon the previous editions with several updates and content modifications. Based on my experience using Contemporary Logistics as a required textbook for over 500 junior- and senior-level undergraduate students each year, this review consists of an overview of the text's organization and changes and an evaluation of content.

The ninth edition is split into three complementary parts. Part I is a three-chapter overview of logistics and supply chain management. Most students lack even a basic exposure to logistics and supply chain management concepts, so this section is essential. Although Part I of the ninth edition is similar to Part I of the eighth edition, the reader still receives a sound overview of both logistics and supply chain management.

Part II is a nine-chapter discussion of the "Elements of Logistics Systems." The authors guide readers through various aspects of logistics in a logical and organized manner. This section describes the operational aspects of business logistics in detail, and readers will notice a logical flow from packaging through transportation to warehousing.

Three aspects of Part II in the ninth edition are significantly improved compared to the eighth edition. First, a subsection on demand management and forecasting models was added to the order management and customer service chapter. The importance of demand management in a functional logistics system is stressed, and basic demand management forecasting models are discussed. Second, the chapters on transportation and transportation management were re-organized and updated. Third, the chapter previously titled "Supply Management" is now titled "Procurement." The focus of this chapter changed from relating supply management and logistics to distinguishing among procurement, purchasing, and supply management. This distinction is becoming more and more important to logistics and supply chain management.

Finally, Part III is a discussion of how to create efficient logistics systems out of the many separate elements of logistics. In my opinion, logistics textbooks are incomplete unless logistics systems analysis is included. The authors discuss logistics systems using the topics of systems controls, organization, and types of systems analysis. Part III of the ninth edition now contains a section on firm organization and an expanded section on comprehensive system analysis with specific methods to conduct a comprehensive systems analysis. The final chapter from the eighth edition ("Supply Chains: Future Directions") is not part of the ninth edition.

Pointing out positive attributes of this text is easy. The authors do a great job of discussing logistics concepts while relating logistics to the success of supply chains. The text is organized into three parts: an important introduction to logistics, a discussion of the elements of logistics, and a final section discussing logistics systems and efficiency. This three-part organization is a logical way to teach and learn about logistics. The detailed discussion of the elements of logistics (Part II) is commendable. Logistics concepts such as warehousing, inventory, transportation, and location analysis are discussed in detail. The text helps students build intuition about logistics trade-offs, such as the relationship between stock-outs and increased inventory.

The authors improved the ninth edition with several updates and content modifications. Most notably, the chapters on transportation were reorganized, the chapter on demand management now contains a section on forecasting, and the chapter on supply management now focuses on procurement. Fifty words were added to the Glossary, which now contains over 300 words, and the end-of-chapter suggested readings were updated and expanded.

Two suggestions for improvements must be noted. First, logistics is an exciting discipline, but in my experience few students enter logistics classes enthusiastic about the topics. (The reasons for this perceived phenomenon could be discussed at length.) In order to encourage more students to study logistics, educators and textbook authors are tasked with showing students that logistics is exciting. Perhaps tracking a well known product through the supply chain, chapter by chapter, would help students better relate to the elements of logistics. Or, perhaps additional industry stories or short films could be incorporated into the text or educator's materials.

My second suggestion is to expand the content on technology. The authors note "an almost dizzying pace of technological advancement" in the Preface. This certainly seems to be the case. Technology enables logistics and helps logistics professionals create logistics systems out of the elements of logistics. Perhaps the authors could expand the chapter on technology to include current developments and examples of how technology enables logistics, or perhaps technology could be discussed as part of each logistics element (i.e., with transportation, warehouse management, inventory, international logistics). Either way, this important topic needs more attention.

Contemporary Logistics does a superb job of introducing logistics concepts. Once again the authors of Contemporary Logistics improved upon an excellent textbook. Like previous editions, the new edition details basic logistics terms and concepts while relating the importance of logistics to the success of the larger supply chain. This edition improves upon the previous editions with several updates and content modifications. Students, educators, and practitioners will all benefit from this textbook.

Bobby J. Martens

Assistant Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa 50011